Just back from Florida panhandle. Here's the scoop.
 

Panama City is TACKY, SEEDY, YUCKY, WHITE TRASHY. I HATED IT. <BR> <BR>Luckily, we were staying at Seagrove Beach. But we ventured to Panama City Beach for groceries. It was borderline acceptable. Another time ventured further to Panama City looking for a place to eat. Ended up at the Mariner Restaurant for all you can eat buffet and felt like I was going to throw up all the way home. The place was NASTY! <BR> <BR>And just driving down Beach Front Road was enough to make me never want to go back. Now, I am not rich and I am nowhere near a snob, but I know what I like and cheap, seedy, tacky is not it. <BR> <BR>Got smart after our Panama City experiences and headed to DESTIN when we needed to shop or eat - now that is more like it. Clean, nice area. I will never ever of my own accord go back to Panama City, even to drive through. I hated it. <BR> <BR>Of note, I was in Seagrove Beach/Seaside seven years ago and it has grown SO much since then - TOO much. Wish they hadn't let that happen. But it is still a pleasant place to be and nothing like Panama City. <BR> <BR>I really loved Rosemary Beach. Just a little new community being built, not overgrown yet!

Yep, you are right - Panama City SUCKS!

Guess that's YOUR opinion. The most relaxing vacation I ever had was at Panama City Beach. <BR> <BR>To each his/her own. More for the rest of us! <BR>

Good, then YOU go there and the nice places will be less crowded for those of us who are more discriminating...I don't see how Panama City and relax could be in the same sentence. Nasty is the only word I can come up with...

Clean sugar sand beach ... beautiful blue/green water ... friendly vacationers ... terrific steaks, burgers, ribs, blackened mahi (sp?) fish ... Bismarcks filled with key lime ... the sound of the waves as I drifted off to sleep. These are my ideas of relaxing. <BR> <BR>Guess I liked the low (no?) pretenses there. I honestly can't remember seeing anybody hoity-toity during the entire week. <BR>

American Woman, you forgot to mention the rundown, seedy motels all the way along the beach - sure, the beach is beautiful IF you can see it; unfortunately you can't. The streets are dirty, the motels are skanky. There are much nicer places. But go there if you think it's so great - no one is stopping you!

I live in Pensacola FL and highly suggest you visit our area. Beuatiful beaches and wonderful areas to shop. Even us Pensacolaians tend to stay away from Panama City. PC is definitely geared toward the high school/ college Spring Breaker. <BR> <BR>Lori

Can't see the beach? Then what was all that sand doing outside my door? Love Pensacola, too! And Destin! And anyplace I've seen around the Panhandle! Hey, somebody's got to defend PCB. <BR> <BR>xxx, now what was the real reason you started this thread? <BR>

The real reason I started this thread is that I just came back from the panhandle and I was so surprised at how AWFUL Panama City was and wanted to warn others not to waste their time. You say you liked Destin - I am curious how you can compare the two? Destin is clean and nice; Panama City is trashy. There is no comparison. <BR> <BR>To the person who said even Pensacola people avoid Panama City, thank you. I found Pensacola (we spent the night in Pensacola on the way to Seagrove) all the way to Rosemary Beach to be beautiful. But Panama City was a huge disappointment. My husband and I vowed to never go back there and for the rest of our trip when we wanted to leave Seagrove we headed for Destin instead.

I'm seeing a LOT of confusion here. Panama City and Panama City Beach are two entirely different cities, both in "ambience" and in location. True, they are only separated by an inlet and a bridge, but they are two entirely different places. I'm not recommending or vilifying either of them; however, they "exist" for different reasons. Panama City Beach is the RESORT. It's where the kids go for Spring Break. The west end is better for families. Panama City is a small city with NO tourist accommodatations. True, there are a few hotels, and a few restaurants, but probably less than there are in other cities of the same size. It is an industrial/military town. If, as a tourist, you didn't like Panama City, I'm not surprised--it's not there FOR tourists. The biggest percentage of residents work at the mill or Tyndall Air Force Base, just east of town. <BR>Sorry, just had to get that correction in. (Now, don't ask me if I like either place--but neither is on my list of places to go for vacation.)

Nothing but a haven for rednecks and bubbas if you ask me...

My friends call it Panty Off City!